Should local churches be required to give up their property, and the use of the religion's name, when they

Question

refuse to follow the mandates of their national leadership?

In recent years, there has been a growing movement by local flocks to not follow the mandates of the national leadership, as regards controversial issues such as:
Gay Marriage;
Ordaining Openly Gay Pastors;
Ordaining Women; and
Acknowledging that perhaps the creation account may merely be that point when homophone man emerged.

In January, news reports showed a movement in the Methodist to confiscate church property of congregations that were not following leadership guidelines on these issues.

In November, many congregations of the Church of England refused to endorse the opinion of the Bishop that according to God's Teachings, as found in the Authorized Version [KJV], that babies born with deformities should not be allowed to live.

Shouldn't these congregations follow their leadership, or give up being a part of the faith?

Okay, honosapian, not homophone. I'm this driving the taxi.

Answer 1

I can only answer for the Methodist church. Since we are a connectional church with a district and a conference. All methodist churches ( the buildings) belong to the general conference. Local congregations do not own the buildings.So it is not so much a matter of confiscating as it is making sure that the property and it's inhabitants are upholding the standards that the general conference has upheld. I have seen people go through seminary,become a pastor and then try to change all of the doctrines or completely preach doctrines that go against what our denomination believes or even what most Christians believe. For example, we are hearing from some false teachers in our churches teachings which go against the validity of the Trinity and bodily ressurection. It is the responsibility of the general conference of our church to protect all of us from false teachings. Our way may not be right -we may not have all of the answers but they are our ways so yes I believe that if you find the doctrine of any denomination uncomfortable than maybe you should look for a church that better suits you. The Bible teaches us to respect the athority that God places over us. If we can not do that than we need to move on. We are called to protect the Word.

Answer 2

That is the question of the hour whether people realize it or not. Church leaders throughout history have left the denomination they have been part of over doctrine. What is being argued today is doctrice in the church's. While the church becomes more like the world in practice, church leaders will take a stand for or against an issue. Should the local church's be required to give up property, land etc when they disagree? Legally it would go to who paid for it. If the local church paid for it than they would get it, however in the agreement between the local church and the national leadership it may say that all belongs to the national organization. What is really at issue here is if the local leaders are required to follow national/world level leadership. The answer is yes in every denomination. The national leaders should just replace the local leader.

What the bible shows though is that the local church should be seperate from any other organization. They choose and pay for what they have. They choose doctine, their leader etc. Institutional Church's (church's meeting in church buildings) have not always been so. When the church starts getting back to its roots...within the next few years you will find more "house church's" being formed, where there is no need for large buildings, non-profit status etc. The church will meet in small groups edifying each other and worshiping God by the leading of the Holy Spirit. All monies collected will be sent to missionary organizations each week to start house church's in other countries. Pastors etc will be paid by each person every week, (depending on God for their provision by faith). All of planned and organized religion will be gone and the waste of the money will be gone.

My recomendation is get back to the bible, do it locally, start house church's and avoid wasting God's money.

Answer 3

When petitioned by a local congregation(some major religions) allow that church to have local autonomy. Some major religions own the church and allow the congregation to pay for the building. Since the denomination hold the title, a clause is generally in there stating, the building cannot be used for other denominations.
I think a local church should retain it's local autonomy. . The Methodist church(denomination)-owns all the churches-they appoint the pastors thus when a church does not follow the doctrines of the church, they have legal recourse. I know nothing about the church of England. I believe those churches show do as God leads. God will not lead them to do anything against his will or word

Answer 4

No, I don't think they should have to give up the church property etc. unless it was the leadership group that bought and paid for it originally. But yes, to give up the name is acceptable because they no longer preach what is taught by the leadership. I would like to add that in most cases, I do not always agree with church leadership either. The time has come when even churches are catering to the will of people instead of to the will of God.

Answer 5

The church where I work used to be Episcopal, but felt the need to leave that denomination when the Episcopal church started ordaining actively homosexual pastors. They became an Anglican church. This makes perfect sense to me. If you don't agree with the teaching of a particular denomination, why would you want to continue? Follow the leadership, or give up that particular faith.

Answer 6

Give it up. This is the reason why we have so many different Protestant religions. Like any social group the goals of the church should reflect the majority goals of those who belong to it.

Answer 7

Honestly, that's kind of messed up. However, in this country, we are given the right to choose our religious beliefs. However, you'd better believe the NSA has a watchful eye on those who are talking about rebellion because of them.

Answer 8

I suppose that depends on how their organizations are structured. If the denomination owns the individual churches, then that's rough for the individual churches.

Answer 9

Martin Luther.

Answer 10

It depends on the property to whom the church is deeded to.

It also depends on the bylaws of the community.
I Cr 13;8a